On Saturday, the 10 men pictured above were rescued by emergency services from the Spanish town of Tarifa, along with members of the Red Cross. It is believed that the men are all from sub-Saharan Africa and were in the final stages of an epic journey which saw them cross the desert on their way to the Moroccan coast.

Pictures of their boat and rescue can be seen in the gallery below. These grown men literally had to cram themselves onto the plastic children’s toy dingy. Many of the men appeared to break down in tears as they were hauled aboard the rescue vessel and provided with blankets and water. Makes one wonder what kind of horrors they face back home.

On the same day, another 47 immigrants were saved by a Spanish maritime rescue unit as they attempted to cross the Straight of Gibraltar in three fragile boats. The first of the boats was carrying 28 people including 14 women, nine men and five babies. The second boat was found to be carrying 12 immigrants, while a third was carrying seven.